Status of Lumin playing Tidal Hi-Res FLAC

wklie

wklie

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Status of Lumin playing Tidal Hi-Res FLAC:

I have been asking Tidal to provide the technical resources to allow for Lumin app playback of Tidal Hi-Res FLAC via Tidal native API, and for Lumin Tidal Connect. Until this happens, Lumin playback of Tidal remains the same as before. Tidal MAX albums will usually become MQA instead of the new Hi-Res FLAC versions.
 
Thanks for the update Peter. I’ll make a prediction: BluOS will get it first, and then Roon. Just a guess. But I also predict that as soon as the API is released LUMIN is going to be one of the first (if not the first) to support Hi-Res FLAC on TIDAL. You guys are always so impressive with keeping up with any and all changes and releasing it to as many as possible, even those with old hardware. Thanks!

I’ll make another prediction: the API and Connect support won’t roll out until they have most of the MQA duplicated with or replaced by non-MQA FLAC (that includes their dubious 16b/44.1kHz MQA that has no audio data above CD quality). As you know, with their use of the term ‘Max’ to signify the highest level of quality, they are currently obfuscating the fact some ‘Max’ content is MQA (unless you have a DAC that shows the info) which leads me to believe the are going to eventually get rid of all MQA (why pay the royalties to a bankrupt company). So when they can delete all MQA files, and just deliver non-MQA Redbook and Hi-Res FLAC, they will release the API and Connect support (otherwise the old code still works but prioritizes MQA over Hi-Res, for now). Just another thought.

Cheers
 
I thought I would add that I’m enjoying TIDAL Hi-Res FLAC on the latest iOS and Android apps. Two setups right now to see how all this develops:

TIDAL iOS app on iPad Pro>USB C>Paw S2 dongle DAC (which supports MQA) and RME ADI-2 DAC (which does not support MQA and also has a really cool iPad app now too called ADI-2 Remote which can be run in multi-tasking mode in split-screen with the TIDAL app).

TIDAL Android app on FiiO M11+ LTD DAP (which support bypassing Android SRC audio stack and therefore plays bit perfect and also support MQA). The FiiO also shows the sample rate of the file playing or if MQA, the OFS.

I have to say, there is still a lot of MQA that has not been replaced by Hi-Res FLAC yet. But what has, in my humble opinion, sounds better. I also find Exclusive Mode is just working better: sometimes the TIDAL apps, when doing 2x core decode to 88.2 or 96 kHz and sending that to non-MQA supporting DACs (i.e., not an MQA renderer) would stay on that SRC rate and would not go back to 44.1 for Redbook files until quitting the app and replaying the non MQA track. I have not seen this behavior with the new apps, so sample-rate switching between FLAC (44.1,48,88,96,etc.) and MQA core decode output (88.2/96) is working as expected.
 
I used this setup for Max testing:
iPad (lightning port) - Apple lightning to USB 3 camera adapter - USB MQA DAC

The use of USB MQA DAC is necessary for my Max testing because Tidal app does not tell you whether a track is MQA or Hi-Res FLAC, but a MQA DAC can recognize and differentiate between them.
 
It seems BlueSound is in the same boat - Bluesound Post

We have identified that the current model of TIDAL's integration, both direct and TIDAL Connect allow for FLAC files to be limited to 16-bit CD Quality playback. To listen to Hi-Res Playback you still have the option of MQA when available from their catalogue.

We are working very closely with TIDAL, one of our Premier Partners, to allow for the playback of their entire catalogue, regardless of format as quickly as possible. Please follow this thread for updates when they become available.
 
Can folks that are familiar with the MQA version of a track and now listen to the full high-res version tell a difference? If so, which one sounds better to you?
 
Max encompasses both MQA and Hi-Res. There are less MQA albums from Tidal, but they are still there. MQA decoder is still needed.
 
Hi Peter, and, thingswelike
Is Tidal going to be around for third party apps, ie our Lumin app? I ask because I just learned no more annual pricing, they went monthly only (afaik). More to the point I read that Tidal is soon to disallow third party apps? - hopefully, not true.
Thanks for your insight.
Rich

I am on Qobuz and Tidal but if Tidal is playing a weird hand, I'll have to find a substitute - might be difficult. I've survived good on the combo of those two.
 
I have no reason to believe this to be a concern. I guess audiophiles constitute a significant portion of their customer base - unlike Spotify or Apple Music which are general consumer oriented.
 
Tidal login on Lumin app is continually failing the past couple of days - Tidal not remembering my login on Lumin app. I'm sure its Tidal (trying Tidal website, it still says my account is managed by Best Buy, it isn't, they out.), Tidal is/has transisioned away from BB and are failing. I cannot imagine dealing with Tidal support so might have to bail on my login and create a new one (likely best path), and lose my entire "My Music". I might even bail totally on Tidal. (last choice)

Here's my question - can Lumin app please alllow me to use my ios passwords. Lumin app is not looking at my ios passwords so I have to manually type everything in, user and pass. It's not a happy moment. I just hope 2024 brings new___something. Tidal is wack at the moment.

Screw it, I just disabled Tidal in Lumin app. This is very, very bad.
 
Thanks stefano-mbp. I got it to login, wasn't able to yesterday (Tidal glitch). The Tidal iphone app doesn't remember username but yes once username is typed in it pulls up ios passwords. My username is long so it takes some typing which I wish was also remebered/stored in the iphone or Lumin app - only the password is.
No big deal but recently Tidal has been logging itself out.
 
Please try Lumin Firmware 17 for models that support Tidal Connect - and update Tidal app to the latest version.

When you receive Lumin app 9.0 for iOS or 6.0 for Android, re-login to Tidal.
 
wklie said:
Please try Lumin Firmware 17 for models that support Tidal Connect - and update Tidal app to the latest version.

When you receive Lumin app 9.0 for iOS or 6.0 for Android, re-login to Tidal.
Click to expand...

Awesome Peter. I think I predicted here (or some other forum) that Lumin would be one of the first 3rd-party implementations of TIDAL Max (you beat out BlueOS).

I’ve been on TIDAL iOS Early Access app and Android Beta app since Max came out…Lumin’s implementation is better than the TIDAL app hands down:
—Tidal still won’t show art thumbnails in playlists (I don’t get that since they do in their curated playlists; but LUMIN app shows all thumbs; thanks)
—Tidal does now finally show bitrate and sample rate if you tap the MAX graphic when a song is playing, but LUMIN app has always done that and is a better depiction.
—TIDAL does not graphically label MQA differently from Hi-Res FLAC, it’s all MAX, until you tap it, then you can find out if it’s MQA or FLAC. I love your implementation: Tidal ‘T’; MQA stylized “M” for MQA; and, ‘MAX’ for high-res FLAC (24b/44.1 or greater).

TIDAL Connect is working well too (I still need it for “My Daily Discovery” until you put it in the app ;-).

Thanks LUMIN (and Peter) for keeping this U1 Mini still rockin.

Cheers
 
M1k3 said:
Awesome Peter. I think I predicted here (or some other forum) that Lumin would be one of the first 3rd-party implementations of TIDAL Max (you beat out BlueOS).

I’ve been on TIDAL iOS Early Access app and Android Beta app since Max came out…Lumin’s implementation is better than the TIDAL app hands down:
—Tidal still won’t show art thumbnails in playlists (I don’t get that since they do in their curated playlists; but LUMIN app shows all thumbs; thanks)
—Tidal does now finally show bitrate and sample rate if you tap the MAX graphic when a song is playing, but LUMIN app has always done that and is a better depiction.
—TIDAL does not graphically label MQA differently from Hi-Res FLAC, it’s all MAX, until you tap it, then you can find out if it’s MQA or FLAC. I love your implementation: Tidal ‘T’; MQA stylized “M” for MQA; and, ‘MAX’ for high-res FLAC (24b/44.1 or greater).

TIDAL Connect is working well too (I still need it for “My Daily Discovery” until you put it in the app ;-).

Thanks LUMIN (and Peter) for keeping this U1 Mini still rockin.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Listening to the MAX files now via the Lumin app. As always, Lumin is a step ahead in implementing streaming changes. The “My Mixes” selections now favor MAX files over MQA where available.
 

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wklie said:
Please try Lumin Firmware 17 for models that support Tidal Connect - and update Tidal app to the latest version.

When you receive Lumin app 9.0 for iOS or 6.0 for Android, re-login to Tidal.
Click to expand...

Congratulations Peter!
per the email:
"TIDAL MAX COMES TO LUMIN FIRST!"
:congrats::band::congrats:
 
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